Episode 56

Taking the Leap: How One Canadian Found Love and Adventure in Puglia

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I sit down with Jaid, a fellow Canadian who traded life in Toronto for a fresh start in Bari just one year ago.

Jaid opens up about her solo trip to Puglia in 2023 that completely changed her path, leading her to take a leap of faith and move to Italy. She shares the highs and lows of that journey—culture shock in Palermo, the charm of Lecce and Monopoli, navigating Italian bureaucracy, and finding her place in a country where friendships often span decades.

We talk about what it’s really like to work in hospitality here compared to Canada, how the warmth and family-like atmosphere helped her settle in, and even how an unexpected connection at work turned into a romantic relationship.

Jaid’s story is full of practical advice and heartfelt inspiration for anyone considering a move abroad. She reminds us that while starting over isn’t always easy, believing in yourself and taking that first step can lead to a life richer and more authentic than you ever imagined.

Follow Jaid’s journey on Instagram at Jaid in the Life and get ready to feel inspired to create your own new life in Italy.

Resources:

Jaid in the Life

Rate, Review, & Follow

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move toward their new life in Italy and live the life they deserve.

Tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes every week and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

If you want to learn more about ways that my team and I can help you live your dream life in Italy, visit us at www.smartmoveitaly.com or send me an email! 

Download the Smart Move Italy App available in iOS and Android.

Until next time! 

Ci vediamo!

Mentioned in this episode:

APP Link

Move to Italy Bootcamp

Sentire Media Website

Move to Italy Bootcamp

Sentire Media Website

About the Podcast

Show artwork for A New Life in Italy
A New Life in Italy
Live longer. Spend less. Smile more.

About your hosts

Profile picture for Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson

For those who know me and those whom I have had the honor to help move to Italy, you know that I am obsessed with taking complex things and boiling them down into small, actionable, easy-to-do steps.

I am a bit of a freak about it and can’t remember when I wasn’t the “problem solver – solution seeker” in the confused crowd.

My dad used to say I was just stubborn or unwilling to accept “you can’t do that” for an answer. Still, I always believed that if you can look at a problem from every angle, break it down, and have the support and knowledge to move through and over the barriers, anything is possible.

Now, in my new life in Italy, I use my obsession with planning and finding solutions to help people from all over the world successfully move to Italy, whether to live part-time or full-time, with less stress and mistakes.

I am considered one of the top relocation experts in Italy and am the founder and Chief Dream Maker at Smart Move Italy (www.smartmoveitaly.com) where my team of experts and I work tirelessly to help smooth the pathway to a new life in Italy- and I hope that we can help you too.
Profile picture for London Niro

London Niro

Profile picture for Ali Frothingham

Ali Frothingham